How Antagonists Effect a Story Essay

In the movie Dark Knight Rises, the antagonist was Bane. Bane’s motives were to wreck and destroy the plans of the protagonist, Batman. Likewise, the antagonist in the book To Kill a Mockingbird, Bob Ewell displayed similar characteristics that were against the protagonist, Scout Finch. In the case of the Shakespearean play Midsummer Night’s Dream, the antagonist is not clear since the play is fully based on confusion and accidents. However, the closest thing being the antagonist is love since it causes the characters in the play to act erratic, foolish and fickle. All the antagonists strived for one similar goal; to ruin the plans of the protagonists. In Dark Knight Rises, Bane displayed his antagonistic character by wreaking havoc in the city of Gotham which is contrary to what Batman would do. â€Å"When Gotham is ashes, then you have my permission to die. â€Å"- Bane to batman after initially defeating him explaining why he does not kill him. This line states Bane’s plan for Gotham and Batman. It also proves that Bane is the antagonist. This also display’s Bane’s yearning for power. By defeating Batman, he expects to establish his rule over Gotham. â€Å"Oh, you think the darkness is your ally. But you merely adopted the dark; I was born in it, moulded by it, I didn’t see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but BLINDING! â€Å"- Bane to Batman during their first bout. This quote explains how Bane thinks he can defeat batman and prevail. It also displays a key quality of an antagonist which is confidence. Bane’s behavior and actions in the movie affects the plot in a huge way. It calls upon Gotham’s fate into question whether if Gotham city will survive or not. Therefore, this adds a dramatic suspense to the plot and raises its climax. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Bob Ewell displayed his antagonistic character by going against the verdict at Tom Robinson’s trial, someone who he claims, raped his daughter, Mayella Ewell. After Bob lost the case after being confronted by Atticus of clear evidence that he was lying, he attacked Atticus’ children Scout and Jem. This show’s Bob’s need for revenge and his hatred towards Atticus. He also treats mostly all the characters in the book in an offensive manner and he is hated by everyone. â€Å"I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella! † (17. 84). This quote proves his persistence in proving the point that Tom Robinson (whom he refers to as ‘nigger’) raped Mayella. Persistence is also a preserved quality in an antagonist. â€Å"You don’t have to touch her, all you have to do is make her afraid, an’ if assault ain’t enough to keep you locked up awhile, I’ll get you in on the Ladies’ Law, so get outa my sight! If you don’t think I mean it, just bother that girl again! † (27. 8, 12). This quote which was pointed against Helen Robinson, shows that Bob Ewell is a power seeking person. By scaring Helen, he is declaring his power over her. Bob has a major effect on the plot of this story, not only he is raising suspense, but he is also the leading cause for hatred in the story. Had not Bob befit this role in the plot, the story would have not reached its climax. In the Shakespearean play Midsummer Night’s Dream, the antagonist is not clearly depicted since it is a comedy. However, there seems to be a great deal of actions of foolishness and fickleness among the characters. This is caused by love. When Hermia fell in love with Lysander, Demetrius who was betrothed to marry Hermia, objected to their love. However, another maiden named Helena was in love with Demetrius. This displays a trail which love creates. In other words, a confusion on who loves who. To further eradicate this confusion, the flower’s juice which was placed on Lysander and Demetrius turned the situation around. The lovers switched their hearts to Helena. Therefore causing a huge mishap. Love has a huge effect on the plot. It caused hatred and violence therefore adding to the suspense and the climax. It was also persistent which resulted in the characters’ firm actions. In Conclusion, the antagonists in all three pieces had the following similar characteristics: Persistence, Power hunger and hatred. However, all the antagonists strived towards one specific goal that is to eliminate the protagonist. All three antagonists had similar effects towards the plot and therefore raising the climax.